TROPICAL CYCLONES IN 2004

Aere was the third tropical cyclone that necessitated the issuance of warning signals this year.

Aere developed as a tropical depression over the western North Pacific about 550 km north-northwest of Yap on the morning of 20 August. It moved northwards at first and intensified into a tropical storm that afternoon. Aere then adopted a northwest course and attained typhoon strength on 22 August. It turned westwards on 24 August and skirted the coast of northern Taiwan the following day. In Taiwan, Aere caused 24 deaths and left nine people missing. Water supply to 910 000 households was cut off, and power supply to 360 000 households was disrupted. The economic loss was estimated to be at least NT$ 400 million.

On 25 August, Aere crossed the Taiwan Strait and made landfall near Xiamen. Adopting a southwest course, it traversed the coastal areas of Fujian and weakened into a severe tropical storm early next morning. Aere weakened further into a tropical storm as it turned west towards Guangdong. It degenerated into an area of low pressure over central Guangdong on 27 August. During the passage of Aere, two people were killed in Fujian and about 47 000 hectares of farmland were ruined. The economic losses exceeded RMB$ 2 billion.

In Hong Kong, the Standby Signal No. 1 was issued at 10.15 a.m. on 26 August when Aere was about 330 km to the east-northeast. As Hong Kong came under the influence of Aere, local weather became unstable with squally showers. The lowest hourly sea-level pressure of 992.7 hPa was recorded at the Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters at 3 a.m. on 27 August. Aere came closest to Hong Kong an hour later when it was about 120 km to the north-northwest. All tropical cyclone warning signals were cancelled at 4.10 a.m. as Aere weakened into an area of low pressure.

Cloudy and rainy weather associated with the remnant of Aere continued to affect the south China coast for the rest of the month. Locally, rain was particularly heavy on 29 August. About 200 millimetres of rainfall were recorded on Lantau Island and in Tsuen Wan that day.

Information on wind, rainfall and tide during the passage of Aere is given in Tables 3.3.1-3.3.3. Figures 3.3.1-3.3.3 show the track of Aere, rainfall distribution in Hong Kong and cloud imagery respectively.

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